The Cayman Islands Government has sent US$500,000 to Dominica to assist in recovery efforts following the passage of Tropical Storm Erika.

“I really do think this is something we must do,” Cayman Islands Premier, Alden McLaughlin, said in making announcement earlier this week. “We know devastation first-hand. They are our brothers and sisters too.”

He said he has been in regular contact with Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, who said more than 370 homes in Dominica are partially damaged or destroyed and two communities have had to be evacuated because of instability of the soil and risk to homes.

McLaughlin also urged Cayman’s residents to help in the effort to get dry food items and other necessities, including cash donations, to assist those in need. If enough goods are collected, Cayman Airways will send the items to Dominica via a nearby island because of the condition of the main airport,

In a letter to Skerrit, McLaughlin wrote: “There is little doubt that the past few weeks have perhaps been some of the most challenging times in Dominica’s modern history. However, as Caribbean people, resilience is embedded in our DNA and as your forbearers did on many occasions before, you too will rebuild. Regrettably, we have been there too. The powerful images and heart wrenching stories that have been shared with us bring to mind hurricanes Ivan and Paloma and our own vivid memories of the struggle to recover.”